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My experience of an infarction

Posted By 2HELLandBACK

"My experience of an infarction"

About: Scottish Ambulance Service / Emergency Ambulance University Hospital Hairmyres / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

One day in mid-February I felt pain in my back.  I contacted 999 and requested an ambulance. After answering all the questions asked by the person who answered the phone, an ambulance crew arrived.

They carried out an ECG which was bluetoothed to Hairmyres, they said it was not an infarct but ischeamia. The paramedic, dont know his name was sure it was an infarct but was advised to bring me to H/M A&E.

The doctor in the dept said as there was no ST elevation I had not had an infarct but the paramedic was adamant I had. The doctor then decided to do a reverse ecg only to discover that I had indeed had infarcted posteriorly.

Had it not been for the paramedic I possibly would have arrested and died.

I have since recovered and attended Post MI Clinic run by a senior nurse who is very good with patients, she even re-arranged my husbands echo [ he also had an infarct 6 weeks prior to me] which allowed us to be seen on the same day.

All the staff involved in my care after having a stent inserted were very good and if you could pass on my, albeit late, thanks I would be grateful.

I would also like you to pass my thanks on to the ambulance paramedics for their care.

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Responses

Response from Helen Mackie, Chief of Medical Services, University Hospital Hairmyres, NHS Lanarkshire 6 years ago
Helen Mackie
Chief of Medical Services, University Hospital Hairmyres,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 28/04/2017 at 17:16
Published on Care Opinion on 29/04/2017 at 17:22

picture of Helen Mackie

Dear 2HELLandBack

I'm sorry to hear about your concerns about the interpretation of your ECG. Posterior Myocardial infarctions can be difficult to diagnosis on a standard 12 lead ECG, and as you have described often require a "reverse ECG" that is, a different positioning of leads which demonstrates the Infarct more clearly. Not all Infarcts show up on an ECG at all and all patients with a suspected infarct have other tests to confirm the diagnosis, ie blood tests. Hairmyres is the Regional Cardiology Cath lab there are always other nurses and doctors available for advice when the initial diagnosis is not clear or there is doubt.

I am very glad to hear you have made a full recovery and thank you for your kind comments about the paramedic, the staff who cared for you in hospital and the Post-MI clinic nurse.

If you want any more information then please contact me on 01355 584485

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Update posted by 2HELLandBACK (the patient)

Thank you Dr Mackie, your explanation was indeed very helpful.

I dont think that i have come across "a reverse" ECG but have heard of a Posterior.

I have since been in for further stenting, yesterday, infact and all staff involved were excellent,

Thank you for the reply

Response from Martin Esposito, Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate, Scottish Ambulance Service 6 years ago
Martin Esposito
Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 02/05/2017 at 07:38
Published on Care Opinion at 11:11

picture of Martin Esposito

Dear 2HELLandBACK

Thank you for sharing you experience on Care Opinion.

I was really sorry to hear about your heart attack. The standard 12 Lead ECG looks at the areas of the heart most likely to infarct but as Helen explains, not all infarcts will show up on the standard ECG. The signs and symptoms experienced by the patient are of course extremely important and I am glad that the concerns of the Paramedic and the medical staff at Hairmyres led to the diagnosis of a posterior infarct.

I would be really like to be able to pass your feedback onto the Paramedic who treated you but would need a few more details to allow me to identify the correct member of staff. If you are able to provide a few more details you can contact me on 0131 314 0003 or at martinesposito@nhs.net

I wish you well with your ongoing recovery and thank you again for for sharing.

Take care

Martin.

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Response from Martin Esposito, Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate, Scottish Ambulance Service 6 years ago
Martin Esposito
Consultant Paramedic - Major Trauma, Clinical Directorate,
Scottish Ambulance Service

Submitted on 09/05/2017 at 14:51
Published on Care Opinion at 16:07

picture of Martin Esposito

Dear 2HELLandBACK

Thank you for contacting me. From the details you provided I was able to locate the incident and identify the ambulance crew who treated you. I will ensure that your thanks are passed onto them.

Take Care

Martin.

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